It was a charged atmosphere with both the UNILORIN and PAAU sides eager to claim the three points on offer in what was a group B opener. Despite an evenly matched first half, the second 45 minutes saw UNILORIN demonstrate their superiority and thus securing a 2-0 victory over PAAU in a tense encounter that offered plenty of drama.

From the first blast of the referee’s whistle, both teams went at each other. UNILORIN, buoyed by the home crowd dominated possession, enjoying 65% of the ball. PAAU on the other hand demonstrated resilience, defending deep and looking to hit their opponents on the break.

 However, neither side could break the deadlock in the opening half despite UNILORIN creating several chances—eight shots on goal in total while PAAU managed only two attempts.

Both teams kept things tight with neither willing to concede an inch. UNILORIN made sure to pressure the PAAU backline but the away side defended superbly and curtailed their opponents threat in the first half.

The second half brought even more intensity as both sides sought the decisive breakthrough. However the game took a more physical turn, the high energy of the game resulted in a serious injury to UNILORIN’s No.7, Kamaldeen Adewale Buhari who suffered a gash on his eyelid after a rough tackle. The injury disrupted the flow of the game briefly but UNILORIN remained composed, determined to make the home advantage count.

Despite the injury scare, UNILORIN’s tactical superiority began to tell in the final 15 minutes of the game. The breakthrough came in the 75th minute when Ademola Agunbiade assisted by Aduragba found the back of the net with a clinical finish, finally beating the PAAU goalkeeper who had been sharp all game, making an impressive total of 4 saves.

Just four minutes later, it was Aduragba’s turn to be on the scoresheet. After receiving a pinpoint pass from Osca, Aduragba’s calm strike in the 79th minute sealed the game for the home side, securing all three points in what had been a keenly contested affair.

PAAU, clearly rattled after conceding two goals in quick succession struggled to recover. They created little in the second half, and despite a few attempts at pushing forward, they never seriously troubled the UNILORIN goalkeeper.

This win places UNILORIN on solid ground to contend for a semi-finals qualification slot. For their opponents’, their games in Matchday 2 and 3 are now a must win for them.